In this review, we will be comparing Dynamo Foundation 10 and KC62, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from MartinLogan and KEF. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 and KEF KC62 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 and KEF KC62 have a totally different setup: the MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 features 1 x 10-inch drivers whereas the KC62 features 2 x 6.5-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Dynamo Foundation 10 has a frequency range of 25-200 Hz whereas KC62 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KC62 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dynamo Foundation 10's min frequency of 25Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10's and KEF KC62's external dimensions. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 has external dimensions of 328.6 x 314.3 x 369.9mm () whereas KEF KC62 has external dimensions of 245.0 x 258.0 x 281.0mm (9-5/8inch x 10-1/8inch x 11-1/16inch).
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 56.3mm wider, 83.6mm taller and 88.9mm deeper than KEF KC62.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 needs about 60% more floor or shelf area. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 is 89mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 is 84mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 is approximately 1162.6cm2 / 180.2inch2 and base area of the KEF KC62 is approximately 725.0cm2 / 112.4inch2. The Dynamo Foundation 10 requires 60% more surface area than the KC62 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 weighs 10.80kg / 23.8lbs and the KEF KC62 weighs 14.05kg / 30.9lbs. This makes the KC62 30% heavier than the Dynamo Foundation 10.
Here is a comparison of how Dynamo Foundation 10 and KC62's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
245mm
vs
328mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
725cm2
vs
1162cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 needs about 60% more floor area. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 stands 89mm further into the room. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 is 84mm taller.
| General |
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 |
KEF KC62 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
25-200 Hz |
11-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
400-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
328.6mm (12.9") |
245.0mm (9.6") |
| Width |
314.3mm (12.4") |
258.0mm (10.2") |
| Depth |
369.9mm (14.6") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
10.80kg (23.8lbs) |
14.05kg (30.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
2 Years |
Different price classes - KEF KC62 costs roughly 2.5x what MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | KEF KC62 goes deeper - 11Hz against 25Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KC62 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 200W RMS, about 7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 2 x 6.5"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KC62 is about 54% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | A | MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 costs less - $600 against $1,500, about 60% less. |
A MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 B KEF KC62
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KEF KC62 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 2.5x the price. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $600 each, two MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 cost about $1,200 against $1,500 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - KEF KC62 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.